Retail leadership starts with us; meet the experts behind MOHR Retail
When you work with MOHR Retail training programs, you’re also working with a dynamic team of consultants, designers, facilitators, and project managers, all of whom come from the world of retail.
Get to know the team that makes it all happen.
Mary Beth Garcia
Owner & CEO
Mary Beth has worked with a variety of retail and hospitality clients as a strategic partner, delivering leadership, communications, retail programs, consulting, and executive coaching for such diverse companies as Academy Sports and Outdoors, Altar’d State, Advanced Auto Parts, Bvlgari, Cardinal Health, Compass Group, Darden Restaurants Inc., Dollar Tree Stores, Family Dollar, Foot Locker Group, Haggar Clothing, King Ranch, LVMH, Michaels, Saks Department Store Group, SMCP, Southeast Grocers, TBC, Ulta Beauty, and Whole Foods Market.
Prior to her consulting work, Mary Beth spent more than 20 years in retail management and operations for companies such as Macys, g.Briggs, The Bombay Company, and Sunglass Hut International, holding numerous leadership positions in sales, store, district, and regional management and corporate communications, training, and operations.
Based in Miami, FL, Mary Beth served on the Executive Advisory Board for the University of Florida’s Retail Education and Research Department from 2003-2014 and is a long-standing member of ISA: The Association of Learning Providers. She holds an A.A. Degree in Retail Management and Fashion Merchandising from Bauder College.
Michael Patrick
Founder, Executive Advisor & Senior Consultant
Michael comes from the retail industry and has experienced MOHR’s brand and impact as a client, owner, and now as Master Facilitator and company consulting resource. He has seen and created impact for hundreds of retail operations through the store leadership, sales & service, multiunit leadership, and negotiation programs. Because of his deep experience, Michael plays multiple roles for MOHR Retail. In addition to facilitating MOHR Retail training programs, he offers executive-level coaching in one-on-one sessions dealing with critical strategic issues such as succession strategies and executive team development.
Currently Michael serves as Account Manager and Master Facilitator for the Tire Industry Association with over 13,000 members. He also works as an Instructional Designer on MOHR Retail’s broader program development. His design expertise is steeped in Observational Learning principles which is one of the most highly validated adult learning designs.
Alexis Abssy
Director Client Engagement, Operations and Support
Alexis came to MOHR with several years of retail management experience, working for the Herb Chambers Company, one of the largest auto dealership groups in New England, and TJX Companies, home office of the global multi-billion-dollar off-price retailer. She has been with MOHR Retail for over 11 years supporting clients operationally before, during, and after custom and packaged training programs and projects. Alexis is the DiSC personal style indicator and Axonify, daily reinforcement App administrator for MOHR Retail in addition to her client support and success role. She is the wind beneath our $ales in driving success for all our Client Engagements.
Matt Brown
SVP Business Development, Operations, Client Success
Matt Brown: Vice President of Business Development & Client Success Matt Brown is a results-oriented leader with a record of contributing positive results and a reputation for great energy and enthusiasm throughout his 30 years in retail. His journey began as a seasonal team member, culminating in his role as Zone Vice President at Michaels Arts & Crafts for the last 10 years.
Currently, as Vice President of Business Development & Client Success at MOHR Retail, Matt leverages his passion for teaching and sharing operational knowledge to support clients in building effective and successful teams. He also serves as a facilitator at MOHR Retail, helping to guide leaders in developing key skills for retail success.
Matt’s first engagement with MOHR Retail was as a client during his time at Michaels, where he focused on empowering his team through effective leadership Development. He also held additional roles such as Vice President of Operations – Retail Engineering and Optimization and Director of District Manager Development. In this role, Matt honed his passion for developing people and helping them reach their full potential.
In addition to his professional achievements, Matt and his wife Meredith opened a martial arts school in Tyler, TX, to support and empower local youth through martial arts training. Matt is also an active member of the East Texas Symphonic Band, where he plays the Euphonium and participates community concerts that inspire young musicians.
Matt’s dedication to both professional and personal growth makes him a valuable asset to MOHR Retail and a positive influence on the communities he serves.
Joyce Hayes
Controller
Joyce is your go-to when you have questions about billing, payments, or shipping and handling. She’ll also get you the documents or accurate invoice copies you need for easy processing of payments. Joyce is a graduate of Long Island University majoring in Finance. Joyce resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her husband Marty close to the MOHR Retail corporate office where we have year-round warmth and sunshine. In her spare time, she enjoys all types of exercise, reading and traveling.
Nemanya Pavlovic
vCTO
Nemanya has over 23 years of professional IT experience as owner of Apogee Consulting LLC, as well as virtual Chief Technology Officer for MOHR retail for over 10 years. Nemanya is a well-rounded and extremely capable IT consultant with expertise in IT infrastructure for a start-up, to converting an Access database into a web/mobile based one for a VIP client in the music business.
He has performed most IT jobs from the mundane to the insane to ensure technology services replacement/synergy are accomplished. He has worked with Bertelsmann Music Group and has attended and helped with the technology production of the Grammy awards presentation for several years. Nemanya is based in New Jersey with his wife and partner Daisy.
Marla Lepore
Marla has more than two decades of experience as a marketing, PR, and communications consultant in the learning and development industry. Over the course of her career, she has planned, developed, and executed marketing communications strategy for a variety of training, research, and performance improvement businesses. She works with the media to provide expert sources on retail training and development issues and has written and ghostwritten numerous articles for industry publications.
A graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Marla lives in Nashville and is an active member of Nashville’s writers’ collective, The Porch. In addition to her marketing work, she is a freelance writer who writes the Muck Rack Daily newsletter, a digest of journalism focused on the trending topics of the day.
Amy Diaz
Senior Special Projects Manager
Amy is an experienced project leader with a passion for creating work plans and project schedules. She has a positive, can-do attitude and focusses on improving processes for better productivity and overall company growth. Amy prides herself in understanding client needs by actively listening, asking clarifying questions and developing processes that fit each customer through clear, precise communication. She swears it’s her superpower.
She has a diverse background with over 10+ years as an Operations and Logistics Manager for a local Miami, Fl importing/exporting company before she moved to New York City to work as the Director of Operations and Project Manager for a swimwear manufacturer with experience in design, overseas production, retail and licensing for brands such as Hot Topic, Victoria’s Secret, PacSun and Jessica Simpson. After 12 years she moved back to Florida to be closer to family and is excited to join our team.
Anita Johnson
Senior Consultant
Anita Johnson is a powerhouse facilitator, leadership consultant, and former retail executive with over two decades of experience developing high-performing leaders across all levels of the retail landscape—from the sales floor to the C-suite. With a proven track record in corporate HR and organizational development, Anita blends strategic insight with hands-on expertise to foster impactful, sustainable leadership growth. Known for her infectious energy, practical wisdom, and deep understanding of retail dynamics, Anita creates interactive learning environments where leaders feel empowered, inspired, and equipped to drive results. She brings the acclaimed MOHR Retail learning design to life, weaving in real-world examples and actionable tools that resonate across roles, formats, and company cultures. Anita’s leadership journey spans iconic brands including The North Face, Old Navy, Gap Inc., Ulta Beauty, and Altar’d State—where she led transformational change across people, processes, and structure. As both a former client and long-time facilitator with MOHR Retail, she offers a unique lens into how powerful training systems can be implemented effectively at scale.
Over the past 10 years, Anita has delivered high-impact virtual and in-person sessions for top retailers like Amazon Fresh, GameStop, TJ Maxx, and HomeGoods, earning a reputation for delivering training that sticks—and shifts behavior. She thrives in environments where growth is the goal and is passionate about preparing leaders to confidently navigate the ever-evolving demands of modern retail.
Cindy Herman
As an enthusiastic and seasoned consultant, facilitator, and coach, I partner with leaders to deliver high-impact, measurable results. With over 25 years of experience, I specialize in developing leaders, building high-performing teams, creating customer service excellence, and designing transformational programs.
Rooted in a background of retail and service—from early hands-on roles to senior positions in management, marketing, and HR—I’ve worked in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. My career spans diverse industries including retail, consumer goods, hospitality, healthcare, communications, and food and beverage, across all organizational levels and cultures.
Kristine Pérez Foley
Senior Consultant
Kristine is an experienced leadership development professional with a specialization in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Her expertise in leadership content, instructional design, group facilitation and executive coaching have enabled her to lead several large global training initiatives for fortune 100 & 500 companies.
Her prior work experience includes holding leadership positions in the automotive and retail banking industry and serving as world languages department leader and Spanish teacher for a large public school system in New York.
As a consultant she has worked with The UPS Store, Bath & Body Works, and Walmart. Kristine is an ICF credentialed coach (PCC) and ICF registered mentor coach and enjoys working with aspiring coaches to discover their authentic coaching style within the ICF core competencies.
Leesa Wallace
Senior Consultant
Leesa has over 20 years of experience heading leadership and organizational development functions in both Fortune 100 and start-up organizations. As a consultant, she has worked with retailers such as Delta Faucets, Louis Vuitton-Moet Hennessy, Ace Hardware, and Michaels to help them build the interpersonal skills that drive results. She is the author of “Sharpening Your Point,” a book focused on helping leaders be more influential with fewer words. Her focus is always on bringing practical, realistic, integrated approaches to help elevate individual, team, and leadership performance by connecting the dots between business goals and employee behavior. Prior to her experience in the leadership development world, Leesa worked in public education. Most notably, she was an English teaching consultant for the Japanese Ministry of Education and, during her stay, authored a short textbook, “Japan and America: Questions You Ask.” Living and working abroad was one of the most eye-opening and humbling experiences of her professional life.
Lisa Gallo
Producer
For over 25 years, I have enjoyed making the Pacific Northwest my home. I have partnered with Mohr since 2022. My professional career spans a variety of chapters, including a focus on corporate training, program design, development, delivery, and virtual production. I have worked from the ground floor up with virtual facilitator trainer courses, as well as designing and delivering a virtual producer course. What I’m known for is my ability to help participants master features of technology with ease, encouraging clients to elevate their learning experience through full participation and use of virtual platform tools.
Paul Briley
Senior Consultant,
Executive Coach
Paul leverages his 25+ years of experience in learning, leadership, consulting and coaching to help you bring your vision to life. His career was built on consultative thought leadership focused on creating impact on people, culture and results.
Throughout his career, Paul has helped people get moving. He’s known for helping people assess their current state, define goals and outcomes, then build plans and move to action. His consultative approach helps build custom solutions based on your unique needs and experiences.
Paul has worked for large, multi-unit organizations, as well as consulting with business leaders and stakeholders within their own organizations. His experience on the front lines of organizations provides a unique perspective and ability to see challenges and solutions from the customer’s point of view. Paul now helps people get off the comma™ through his consulting, coaching and organizing practices. He also has over 10 years experience in volunteer board membership & leadership.
Paul builds relationships based on a sense of purpose, action-orientation and having fun in the process. Paul holds a Master’s in Business Administration, is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach (ACC), and a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD). He loves heights, travel, animals, physical activity and is stretching himself this year by saying “yes” to things that scare the heck out of him.
Learn more about Paul: linktree
Scott Keva James
Producer
Scott Keva James is a virtual technical producer, visual artist, educator, and live event producer. His artwork includes interactive installation work and live visual performance. In the world of live events, he has creative-directed multi-media stage shows and implemented complex, immersive environments. Since 2020 he has been providing technical assistance and support for virtual instruction and facilitation. Scott lives and works in Washington State.
Susan Newhouse
Senior Consultant
With 25 years’ experience harnessing the power of human connection, I help disrupt ordinary thinking and create breakthroughs for individuals, teams, and organizations. I have designed and led hundreds of collaborative sessions for Fortune 500 companies around the world, applying principles of Creative Problem Solving, Design Thinking, Multiple Intelligences Theory, and improv to inspire new ideas in the consumer-packaged goods, retail, travel, and hospitality industries. Prior to joining MOHR in 2018, I worked at Kantar and the Deloitte Greenhouse and received my Communications degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have also received certifications from Josephine Forsberg’s Players Workshop of the Second City, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methods, and the FourSight™ Creative Thinking System, and am a proud leader at the Creative Problem-Solving Institute, EPIC International Summit, QRCA Worldwide, and ACRE/EDU conferences.
Kristina Landis
Senior Instructional Designer/Consultant
Kristina Landis brings over three decades of frontline and executive retail experience to her consulting work, guiding organizations through transformational leadership and talent strategies. With a career rooted in both field operations and corporate leadership roles, Kristina has a unique ability to bridge strategy and execution—helping businesses build agile, high-performing teams aligned with evolving market demands.
Her leadership journey spans industry-leading retailers including JustFoodForDogs, West Marine, Michaels Stores, Family Dollar, and The Bombay Company. At JustFoodForDogs, she leads enterprise-wide people initiatives focused on leadership development, succession planning, and engagement. Her strategic foresight and ability to navigate complexity have proven vital in driving culture change and workforce evolution.
Kristina specializes in empowering leaders at all levels with the skills, mindset, and systems they need to lead effectively. Whether consulting on organizational design, developing frontline leadership programs, or supporting DEI and employee experience initiatives, her approach is grounded in real-world operational insight and a commitment to sustainable results.
Laurel Moad
I have spent 30 years leading Retail field organizations, inspiring field leaders and their teams to exceed financial goals, earn customer loyalty and improve customer retention. I am committed to the development of direct reports and high potentials, promoted internal talent and mentored peers. During my retail career I spearheaded numerous talent initiatives including the creation of core attributes, hiring, retention and development tools, succession planning and on-boarding practices. I consistently collaborated cross-functionally to impact assortments and deliveries to improve sales and gross margin. My teams were well respected field leaders in each of the national retailers I worked for. My relationship with MOHR Retail began in the mid-90’s as a client. Years later, I led business development for MOHR Retail in the West and Midwest. In the past decade, I have coached senior leaders, facilitated training for national organizations, designed custom sales training programs, and managed projects. I measure my success through the success of the clients I work with.
Kathryn S. Wolfson
Senior Design Consultant
Kathryn has more than 30 years’ experience in retail industry training and course development. For clients such as Hermes, Estee Lauder, Toys R Us, MarMaxx, Polo Ralph Lauren, and New Balance Retail, she has trained in leadership, management, negotiation, technical, and operations skills. Her corporate experience includes Assistant Buyer and Training Coordinator for Rich’s (div. of Federated Stores) and Corporate Director of Training for Saks Fifth Avenue. Kathryn develops and continually updates the MOHR Retail’s core programs as well as custom program modules. A graduate of Smith College, she lives in New York City and has taught in New York University’s continuing education program.
Shannon Artibani
Producer and Creative & Client Services Support
Shannon joins MOHR Retail with a degree in communication, a passion for learning and development and 15 years of retail and customer service experience. Having spearheaded projects across various roles—from managing a bustling coffee shop to coordinating large-scale events—she’s learned that success comes down to three things: communication, coordination, and a can-do attitude. In her most recent role as Managing Barista, she played a key role in shaping a fledgling business into a community staple. This experience honed her ability to oversee multiple tasks flawlessly, anticipate needs, and adjust plans on the fly—all while ensuring every customer felt valued and every team member felt heard. She is thrilled to bring these experiences to the MOHR Retail team as a Virtual Producer and Creative & Client Services support specialist, ensuring each training session runs seamlessly and drives meaningful results.
Keiran Bhatia
Virtual Producer
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from McGill University at the dawn of the Zoom era, Kieran pivoted to pursue his passion for music. Beyond performing and mentoring aspiring musicians at local venues, he has built a teaching business, specializing in personalized virtual piano lessons. His expertise in both learning and teaching within digital spaces has propelled him into the virtual producer role at MOHR Retail. Kieran is based in Toronto.
Larry TRN
Senior Instructional Designer/Consultant
Larry Trn is a seasoned learning and development leader with over 20 years of experience in talent strategy, leadership development, and instructional design. As a Senior Facilitator and Instructional Designer at Mohr Retail, he leverages his expertise to create innovative learning solutions that drive business results in the retail industry. Larry has held leadership roles at Alimentation Couche-Tard, Compass Group USA, and US Airways, where he developed and delivered high-impact training programs aligned with business goals. He holds an MBA from Webster University and a BS in Advertising/Marketing from Boston University, along with multiple facilitation and leadership certifications. When he’s not developing people, he and his wife Lisa manage a small nonprofit for retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
Interested in joining our team?
Contact us to learn about available opportunities.
Leadership experience in a national retail organization (e.g., DM/RVP Senior Store Operations, or Talent Development experience), and a participant of MOHR Retail training, is a huge plus and a value our clients count from us.
